Ever wondered why some people who struggle with drinking problems also have trouble avoiding pain? It turns out, there's a surprising link between the two. People who have issues with drinking often find it hard to learn from past experiences to avoid pain. This might be because their brain's reward system isn't working as it should. The brain's reward syste...
People drink alcohol for many reasons. Some drink to have fun, others to fit in, and some to deal with stress. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people started drinking more to cope with the stress and uncertainty. This was a big concern because drinking to cope often leads to more alcohol-related problems. Now, researchers wanted to see if this trend continued afte...
Ozempic, a popular drug for diabetes and weight loss, has shown unexpected benefits in reducing alcohol consumption. A recent study involving 48 participants with moderate alcohol-use disorder found that those taking semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic, drank significantly less alcohol and had fewer cravings compared to those on a placebo. This finding is e...
What helps older folks drink less? Well, it turns out, they've got some thoughts on that. Let's jump right in. The serious stuff first. Older adults need clear facts. plain talk about what alcohol can do to their bodies is a big deal. It is not simply about finding out. It is about understanding how alcohol affects the body more than they may think. They care ...
Thepast couple of decades have been a troubling timeline for liver diseases and cancer related to them. This has many scientists wondering what is going on , a common suspect is the lifestyle choices. Researchers are investigating if our parents drinking alcoholic beverages can increase the risk of liver diseases and cancer of liver cells in the future and do...
You might not realize this, but more people in the US are battling drinking problems and liver issues linked to alcohol. It's a serious deal, leading to more health issues and even deaths. So, what's being done to tackle this? Well, a new training program was introduced for gastroenterology fellows—young doctors specializing in the gut. This program teaches them all ...
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on alcohol consumption and exposure to violence, especially in the San Francisco Bay Area. Between January 2021 and April 2023, researchers gathered data from 565 adults who drink alcohol. They found that heavy drinking (four or more drinks on one occasion, at least four times a month) was common, with 73. 7% of part...
Ever thought about what might influence how much alcohol you drink? A study in Chicago looked into this for Black sexually minoritized men and transgender women. They found that having more empty buildings around might make you drink more. Surprisingly, the number of places selling alcohol or how poor the area is didn't seem to matter much. This shows that neighborho...
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a significant worldwide health issue that lacks effective treatments. Scientists are still trying to grasp the biochemical pathways that cause this disorder. This is where metabolomics comes in—it's a promising method to understand the metabolic changes linked to AUD. Blood contains a wealth of bioactive molecules that mirror the body's...
Australian communities are tackling teen alcohol use in a new way, inspired by a program from the USA called Communities That Care (CTC). This program focuses on making it tougher for teens to access alcohol and changing their habits. The Australian trial has seen some promising results, such as fewer teens drinking and less trouble in communities. However, to get mo...